The Profound Transformation of Templar Knights

Profound changes occurred when lay knights became members of the religious-military order of the Knights Templar. What were the key aspects of these internal and external transformations? 

Combining monastic vows with martial duties, the mission of the Templars evolved from protecting pilgrims in the Holy Land to defending Christianity itself. This dual identity sparked both admiration and criticism, as it was a revolutionary idea in Medieval Europe. Some critics described Templars as a "monstrous innovation" for their militant piety.

Entering the order really meant transformation. One of the defining moments for any Templar recruit was "taking the habit." This ritual symbolized not only a change in appearance but also an acceptance of strict communal discipline. Candidates, primarily from the small and medium nobility, underwent scrutiny to ensure their suitability. The Primitive Latin Rule even prescribes a probationary period after the postulant had made a formal request in the Chapter to join the Order (Rule 11). After that they pledged the monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, culminating in a formal ceremony where they donned the iconic Templar mantle.

The habit itself was a deeply symbolic garment: white for knights, representing purity and chastity, and dark for sergeants and non-knight members, symbolizing humility. Its colors also mirrored the Templar flag, the "gonfanon baucent." These ceremonies mirrored feudal homage, underscoring their seriousness and the recruit’s full integration into the Templar collective.

Templars distinguished themselves not only through their mission but also their austere appearance. Inspired by Bernard of Clairvaux's writings in De laude novae militiae, they eschewed the finery of secular knights. Hair was cropped short, and long beards were kept as symbols of humility. Their clothing and equipment avoided embellishments, reinforcing their focus on discipline and unity over personal vanity. The austerity of their appearance contrasted sharply with the flamboyance of secular knights. Bernard’s descriptions derided worldly knights for their luxurious attire, arguing that such extravagance hindered martial effectiveness.

The Templars underwent an even deeper internal transformation. The communal life they embraced demanded humility and the suppression of personal pride, a significant shift for many recruits from noble backgrounds. They ate in pairs, maintained silence when required, and refrained from idle talk or worldly pleasures such as hunting, with rare exceptions like lions in the Holy Land.

The Templars’ unwavering discipline became legendary. They operated under a rigid hierarchy, excelling as disciplined warriors in critical battles like those of the Second and Third Crusades. Chroniclers like Odon de Deuil praised their role in reorganizing disordered ranks during crises, further cementing their reputation for martial and moral rigor.

The templars' ethos also demanded a fearless attitude in battle, viewing death as martyrdom in service to Christ. This belief in the spiritual rewards of their mission emboldened them on the battlefield. However, their unyielding loyalty occasionally led to disastrous outcomes, such as the ill-fated charge at the Siege of Ascalon in 1153, where their leader, Bernard de Trémelay, and his contingent were overwhelmed.

In all the Knights Templar were far more than a military order. They embodied a unique fusion of religious devotion and martial discipline. Their transformation, both external and internal, offers a profound glimpse into medieval spirituality and the complex identities of these warrior monks. 

This blog is based on  La prise de l’habit chez les Templiers: transformations intérieures et extérieures by Rodrigue Buffet (2023) in Questes - Revue pluridisciplinaire d’études médiévales, 47, 2023. Published on line 1 January 2024, electronic edition https://journals.openedition.org/6866. The illustration shows a bearded Templar sergant on a fresco at the San Bevignate church, Perugia, Italy. source, Fair Use intended.

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